Tumble Bee

Laura Veirs | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: November 8, 2011
• Label: Raven Marching Band
• Copyright: 2011 Raven Marching Band
• Total Length: 30:37
• Genres:
  • Children's Music
  • Folk
• ASIN: B005OEONTQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,347 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A small gem, a kindred spirit to the Smithsonian Folkways tradition November 20, 2011

By Stefan Shepherd

Format:Audio CD

Looking to take a bit of a break after a long tour and giving birth to her son, Portland-based singer-songwriter Laura Veirs decided to do a kids album. But instead of writing a dozen or more songs with kid-friendly themes, she decided to research kid-appropriate folk songs. The result is titled Tumble Bee: Laura Veirs Sings Folk Songs for Children -- a simple, direct title reflecting the simple, direct music inside.

Many of the dozen songs (plus an instrumental reprise) on Tumble Bee will sound familiar to a long-term listener of music for kids or anyone who has more than a couple Smithsonian Folkways albums. (There is but one wholly original track, the title cut.) "All the Pretty Little Horses," "The Fox," "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki Me O" -- these aren't songs that Veirs rescues from obscurity -- they're part of the (American) folk canon. Nor is "Jump Down Spin Around," which Raffi nicked from Leadbelly (and recorded it as "Pick a Bale o' Cotton"). But that latter track -- which Veirs credits to Harry Belafonte (she was struck by his version of the track) -- is given an extra boost of energy on the new album, with a chorus of friends singing along in response to Veirs' words and adding a few stomps for emphasis.

I'd call Tucker Martine's production of his wife's music as unfussy, designed to highlight Veirs' voice and the classic melodies -- why get in the way? Bela Fleck provides lovely (but not showy) banjo work on on "King Kong Kitchie." Colin Meloy duets with Veirs on "Soldier's Joy," making it sound a little bit like a track from some Bizarro Decemberists album where all the song have happy endings. And perhaps my favorite vocal turn is from Veirs herself, yodeling on "Prairie Lullaby...."

Given the timeless nature of many of these songs, my typical suggestion of an age range is somewhat foolish, but it'll probably be more appreciated by kids ages 3 and up. (Though perhaps if you start younger, by the time they hit preschool they'll have all the lyrics to "The Fox" memorized.)

Tumble Bee is a lovely album through and through. Fans of Elizabeth Mitchell's and Dan Zanes' family albums should be especially drawn to it, though this trawls narrower, folkier waters. But it also compares well to albums of Mitchell's Smithsonian Folkways predecessors like Pete Seeger and Leadbelly. Methinks Ruth Crawford Seeger, another one of Veirs' inspirations for the album, would be proud of it. It's a small gem, and while it's not actually a Folkways album, it's a kindred spirit to that tradition. Highly recommended.

[Review originally appeared at Zooglobble.] Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Folk Songs for Everyone November 9, 2011

By tesg

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

While marketed as 'folk songs for children', this is really a great album anybody can love.

There isn't a miss here. Veirs and producer/husband Tucker Martine deliver thirteen beautiful tracks...mostly traditional covers...arranged in a traditional folk style. It goes by quickly, maybe a little too quickly. Or maybe it simply doesn't overstay its welcome.

Either way, it's a gem.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Children's Album ever May 12, 2013

By Meadows

Format:Audio CD

My daughter has been in love with this CD for 2 years now (she is 3.5). My husband and I both listened to Laura Veirs before this children's CD came out, so it is a win-win-win for us!! We dance to this CD, listen to it in the car, listen to it while we are cooking, etc. etc. I never get sick of it!

5.0 out of 5 stars baby loves this album, and so do I! March 28, 2013

By neurogirl

Format:Audio CD

My husband and I saw Laura Viers open for the Decembrists several years ago, and loved both her beautiful music and clear vocal stylings. I was thrilled when she released this album and bought it in anticipation of my son's birth, hoping it would be great. It's WONDERFUL. Since he was a newborn, my baby has loved these songs and pieces (with the exception of "Jump Down Spin Around", which I don't think is anybody's favorite). Playing this album would actually make him stop crying! I've listened to it over and over again, and still just love it. Best of all, because these are familiar folk tunes done in simple arrangements, they are very easy for anyone to sing along with. That's sort of the point when making songs for children, isn't it? :) And yet, in typical folk fashion, the album is also universally enjoyable for all ages. It's almost irresistibly engaging. Excellent work, Laura and company!

5.0 out of 5 stars Laura Veirs is wonderful February 20, 2013

By Ms. Piper Valentine

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

My baby only 3 weeks old so she didn't actually tell me she likes this album, but her dad and I certainly do. I am a long-time Laura Veirs fan and this album is really great. Aside from the questionable choice of "Pick a Bale of Cotton," all the songs are great. Don't get me wrong, I sang that song as a kid, it just seems a little outdated, so to speak. For $5, this album is most certainly worth every penny. Her other albums are amazing as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for music time with your child January 3, 2013

By lolob

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This album is not only fun for children the adults will love it as well! It is a celebration of folk music, foot stomping fun and hand clapping musicality! Laura's voice is beautiful and at the same time a little quirky as she and producer husband Tucker Mertine breeze through 13 perfectly covered tracks. The bonus for me is that Carson Ellis did the cover artwork for the album!

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great Laura Veirs album January 16, 2012

By Carl Hancock

Format:Audio CD

This album is great. It's a bit more playful than any of her other records, but it's something that kids and adults can both enjoy.

5.0 out of 5 stars sooooo good. December 11, 2011

By Dr. Robert

Format:Audio CD

unexpected. not at all typical of alternative children's music. this is for all ages. and authentically heartfelt. quite beautiful. nicely done!!!